The Whigs' America

Middle-Class Political Thought in the Age of Jackson and Clay

By: Joseph W. Pearson

Narrated by: Eddie Frierson

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

From 1834 to 1856, the Whigs battled their opponents, the Jacksonian Democrats, for offices, prestige, and power. The partisan expression of America's rising middle class, the Whigs boasted such famous members as Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and William Henry Seward, and the party supported tariffs, banks, internal improvements, moral reform, and public education.

In The Whigs' America, Joseph W. Pearson explores a variety of topics, including the Whigs' understanding of the role of the individual in American politics, their perceptions of political power and the rule of law, and their impressions of the past and what should be learned from history. Long dismissed as a party bereft of ideas, Pearson provides a counterbalance to this trend through an attentive examination of writings from party leaders, contemporaneous newspapers, and other sources. Throughout, he shows that the party attracted optimistic Americans seeking achievement, community, and meaning through collaborative effort and self-control in a world growing more and more impersonal.

Pearson effectively demonstrates that, while the Whigs never achieved the electoral success of their opponents, they were rich with ideas. His detailed study adds complexity and nuance to the history of the antebellum era by illuminating significant aspects of a deeply felt, shared culture that informed and shaped a changing nation.

The book is published by The University Press of Kentucky. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

"A worthy and significant work of 19th-century American history." (Daniel Walker Howe, author of What Hath God Wrought)

"Exceptionally well-written, strongly researched, and powerfully argued work...It is an important read." (James C. Klotter, author of Henry Clay)

©2020 The University Press of Kentucky (P)2021 Redwood Audiobooks

Fascinating

It is fascinating to hear that political struggles have not changed much in over 150 years and that political polarization has always existed in the United States. But what is truly eye opening is that the Whigs, who became the Republican party of Lincoln, seem more like today's progressives and the Jacksonian Democrats seem very much like today's GOP. The parties, for the most part, have completely flipped. An interesting listen and terrific narration.

Really interesting

Much more about political ideology and the history of ideas than history itself which I loved but maybe not for everyone. Could probably have framed some of that with a more linear overview of the party’s history to give more context. The same basic themes are restated differently in many ways but feel very redundant at times. It could have definitely been more specific on linear events to illustrate its points for a more traditional text but I still liked it. It seems like such an obvious point to make that they must have avoided that approach intentionally to avoid being too dry.